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Salalah, Oman |
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This next section of this endless travel diatribe is
the country of Oman. It lies at the southeastern base of the Arabian
Peninsula and extends up to the peninsula's horn.. It is surrounded
by the dry, desert lands of Saudi Arabia, but the coastline is quite
temperate (although constantly humid).
Oman is a Sultanate - that is, it is a monarchy, but with a "your Sultaness" instead of a "your Heiness". It is reasonably liberal, as far as Muslim countries go. The Sultan has full power and appoints a cabinet, but Ministers are elected by everybody over 21, and there are three elected women Ministers in the government, so that's pretty cool. The dress is typically Muslim, but women often do not wear their head coverings. There are no political parties, and no apparent opposition to the Sultan, so politically, at least on the surface, things seem quite calm. The country is very well off due to its oil reserves. In the past it was the major (and one of the only) frankensence suppliers of the world. In addition to the frankensence thing, Oman is also host to the resting place for Job (from the Bible), and these comprise, along with beautiful beaches, the prime reason people visit this area! So, all in all, it is a safe, pleasant country to visit. |
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Salalah, the busy port we docked at, in the Dhofar
part of Oman in the very southern part of the country, goes back to
the 3rd century BC as a port along the eastern trade route.
Supposedly, there even is an ancient Egyptian hyroglyph picturing an
Egyptian ship moored in Salalah. I have NO idea how they can tell
these things - go figure. Anyway, it's a small city of around
200,000 people - 90-some-odd percent Muslim.
When we got off the ship we headed for the fishing town of Mirbat, north of the city, but before we left, we stopped in the market area where clothing is made and sold.
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